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williamsilver1

Audi A3 TFSI Power Loss: Throttle Body Warning Signs

My Audi A3 2.0 TFSI from 2009 has started acting up recently. The check engine light keeps coming on and the engine power feels significantly reduced, especially when accelerating. From what I understand, this could be related to a faulty throttle body or throttle sensor, but I want to be sure before heading to a repair shop. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms? Looking for repair experiences and potential costs to fix this issue. The car runs, but performance is definitely not what it used to be, and I want to address this before it gets worse.

4 comment(s)

lukashahn71

Having worked on cars as a hobby for several years, I dealt with a similar issue on my 2011 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced, reduced engine power and check engine light, which turned out to be the accelerator pedal module failing. The car went into limp mode regularly, especially during acceleration. Engine idling was also inconsistent, which was the first sign something was wrong with the throttle control system. After checking air flow readings with a diagnostic tool, the workshop confirmed the accelerator pedal module was sending incorrect signals to the throttle body. The repair cost me 265 Euro including parts and labor. Since fixing it, the throttle response returned to normal and the check engine light hasn't come back. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you provide: Current mileage, Any diagnostic codes you have, Whether the issue happens more during cold starts, If you notice any changes in throttle response at different speeds This information would help determine if your issue is identical to what I experienced or if there might be other factors involved.

williamsilver1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. My car currently has 41142 KM and just had its annual service last month. After reading your reply, I checked and noticed the engine idling is indeed rough, especially right after starting the car. The reduced power and limp mode issues typically occur when I try to accelerate quickly. Based on what you described, it does sound very similar to my situation with the throttle body problems. The fuel efficiency has also dropped noticeably in the past few weeks. I will get the diagnostic codes read before making any repair decisions, but your repair cost of 265 Euro gives me a good reference point for what to expect if it turns out to be the accelerator pedal module.

lukashahn71

I can confirm that rough idling and decreased fuel efficiency, combined with the check engine light and reduced power, strongly point to throttle control issues, just like what I experienced. The symptoms at 41142 KM are quite early, but not unheard of for these models. After fixing my accelerator pedal module, I learned that keeping the air intake system clean and regularly checking air flow sensors helps prevent similar issues. The throttle body itself usually lasts longer, but the electronic components can fail prematurely. A quick tip: before spending money on repairs, have them check the wiring connections to the throttle body and accelerator pedal module. In some cases, corroded or loose connections can cause identical symptoms, and that would be a much cheaper fix. Since we have the same engine series, be prepared that the workshop might need to recalibrate the throttle body after repairs. This was included in my quoted repair cost, but some shops charge extra for the procedure. The good news is that once fixed, these issues rarely come back if properly maintained. My fuel efficiency and engine performance returned to normal immediately after the repair.

williamsilver1 (Author)

Thank you all for the helpful insights. Following up on my situation, I took the car to get diagnosed today. The scan revealed trouble codes related to the throttle sensor, exactly as suggested. The rough engine idling and poor fuel efficiency were key symptoms that helped identify the issue. The mechanic confirmed the accelerator pedal module needs replacement, quoting 290 Euro for parts and labor including the throttle body recalibration. I scheduled the repair for next week since the car is still driveable despite being in limp mode occasionally. The air intake system will also be cleaned during the service to prevent future issues. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, it helped me understand the problem and gave me confidence in dealing with the repair shop. I will make sure to properly maintain these components going forward to avoid similar problems.

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